I know a couple local hard/private money lenders I can connect you with, one of them is a sponsor at the Dover real estate investor meetup that takes place the 2nd Monday of each month at Chapel and Main Brewery.

My main focus is to make sure my Mom has enough cash to live off of while she enjoys her retirement.

Mainly to the left of us.

I'm looking to break into my local market of Central Maine.

I probably won't supply a mini-split but a portable heater is probably necessary.

Myself being a GC, developer and construction consultant as my main business... the question of GC licensing has never been a factor in lending or in selling for me. 

Rate will depend mainly on the structure I just went over, your FICO and the length of the prepayment penalty.

Do they pick up or will they require you to contract with a waste company that will supply a dumpster and handle pickup.- If you get a dumpster, neighbors dumping in your bin may be a problem, depending on the location.

Again, not my main goal but it also doesn't seem wise to be short $600/mo. 3.

I'd look at crime rates and I'd also look at multifamily supply projections to see how many units are expected to come online in the next few years.